Nikon rockets into satellite parts by buying Boeing-backed startup

Deal for Morf3D sees Japanese camera maker turn to aerospace as new growth driver

20210405N small satellite deployer

The Small Satellite Orbital Deployer on the International Space Station is shown in this NASA photo. The market for small satellites is expected to grow.

TSUYOSHI TAMEHIRO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japanese camera maker Nikon has bought a majority stake in U.S. startup Morf3D, an aerospace supplier whose customers include Boeing, in a deal estimated at nearly 10 billion yen ($91 million), Nikkei has learned.

The acquisition, which took place on Friday and will be announced Tuesday, gives Nikon a foothold in the supply chain for small satellites, a growing field of the aerospace industry.

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